Publish Time: 2026-06-24 09:32:00

A+A-Light Off<!--

«Chapter 524: Qingxian Taoist Temple, Xuanchengzi

None »

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng asked no further.

Dropping the subject, he then asked, “How many years has the temple master spent on cultivation?”

“This poor priest has only practiced for five years. My skill is shallow, and even now I haven’t found the true path.”

“The Dao may not be given out lightly. For the master to have come this far by your own efforts is truly difficult.”

“You embarrass me, Daoist friend.”

To be fair, Xuanchengzi had little Immortal Fate. This wasn’t hard to tell—cultivating mystic arts truly required talent and insight, qualities Xuanchengzi sadly lacked. Fortunately, his Dao Heart remained firm, proving that his efforts these past years far surpassed ordinary folk’s.

Chen Changsheng had come hoping to see whether the future fortunes of the mortal world’s Daoist Sect lay here.

Indeed, Zhixuan Master would’ve been a suitable candidate.

But sadly, he was already long gone.

Initially, Chen Changsheng believed the one would either be the current temple master or among those within Qingxian Taoist Temple.

But as it turned out… neither was true.

Perhaps in another temple?

The mortal world held countless Taoist Temples, large and small. Though Qingxian Taoist Temple upheld the sect’s true teachings, the sect’s rise might not necessarily stem from here.

‘Perhaps the Daoist Sect’s awakening wasn’t within mountain temples…’

Maybe it lay within the Imperial Court… or out in the Jianghu… anything seemed possible.

Chen Changsheng’s ultimate goal was to locate that crucial chess piece.

Just seeing whether that piece was moved by cultivators from the Cultivation World or by the Heavenly Dao would confirm whether the Heavenly Dao had truly fallen into Chaos. That information would guide his arrangements for the Underworld Palace and Reincarnation.

‘Yet who’s taking charge of the mortal world’s Daoist matters now…?’

Chen Changsheng glanced at Xuanchengzi and questioned, “I wonder if the Immortal who descended way back then remains in this place?”

Xuanchengzi shook his head. “The Celestial Immortal left long ago. This poor priest has no clue how to find them. Over these years, many have come to Qingxian Taoist Temple seeking Immortals or the Dao. But all eventually left empty-handed.”

“Truly gone?” Chen Changsheng pressed.

Xuanchengzi paused briefly. “Why would this poor priest lie?”

“I understand.”

Chen Changsheng shifted the topic. “Many years ago, I had an old friend buried on this mountain. Now that I’m here, paying respects is only right. I won’t disturb you further, Temple Master.”

Xuanchengzi hesitated. “The sky darkens now, friend. Will you not stay the night? To be honest, my heart holds many unanswered questions about magic. I’d wished to seek your guidance.”

“You’re confused, Temple Master,” Chen Changsheng stated plainly. “Arcane spells are, ultimately, just a cultivator’s tools. If we liken cultivators to Jianghu People, then Arcane Spells resemble Sword Arts or Sword Techniques—essential, yes—but do they truly compare to a dedicated martial heart?”

Xuanchengzi pondered this. “So you consider the Dao Heart more important?”

“That’s not entirely it.”

Chen Changsheng explained, “On Daoist Arts, views differ. Some believe magic outweighs the Dao; others disagree. To me, suitability varies by person. Your potential, Master, is ordinary, hence progress in Arcane Spells is tough. But your unwavering reverence for the Dao compensates. For you, perhaps mastery lies foremost in achieving enlightenment in the Dao itself. When the Dao is achieved, magic becomes spontaneous—natural like water finding its path.”

“When the Dao is achieved, magic becomes spontaneous…”

Xuanchengzi froze, touched by insight. Immediately, he entered deep meditation.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng refrained from disturbance. Walking out of the hall, he closed the temple gate.

The young Daoist Priest who’d guided Chen Changsheng earlier waited by the hall entrance.

Chen Changsheng addressed him. “The Master experienced sudden insight. He’s now meditating. Please guard this entrance, young priest; allow no one inside to interrupt.”

The young priest blinked, startled. “Uh… Alright…”

Chen Changsheng then walked toward another path.

The young priest snapped back; “Where does the Recluse go?”

“I go to see an old friend.”

With that, Chen Changsheng vanished down a tiny trail.

The young priest considered chasing after, but turning back to the meditation hall, froze uncertainly.

“What should I do??”

He felt utterly trapped, stuck choosing between duties.

Watching the gentleman in the Blue Robe disappear, he conceded defeat. Helplessly, he stationed himself at the hall door.

He dared not enter, just stood guard outside.

“Sigh…”

No clue how long this vigil might last. Until the Master emerged, he couldn’t leave.

Worse, he worried about that roaming Recluse getting lost. Neglecting hospitality would bring blame. Everything felt utterly wrong. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

……

Chen Changsheng reached Old Huang’s grave.

After Zhixuan Master passed, likely no one tended to this place diligently. Yet offerings and spirit money remained before Yan Huanglou’s mound.

Someone must have come at Qingming Festival—probably Wang Sanniang and Ruyi, as Old Huang had no other close acquaintances left.

Chen Changsheng took a jar of Peach Blossom Wine from his sleeve.

Miss Aqing had given it to him previously.

“Forgot to bring tea; only wine. Make do.”

He poured some wine onto the grave.

He wondered: Had Old Huang reincarnated? If reborn, would he sell tea roadside again? Old Huang once spoke of youthful vigor—meeting now, Chen Changsheng doubted he’d recognize him.

Come to think of it, Chen Changsheng still had one elixir tucked away in his sleeve.

The one Yan Huanglou didn’t take way back when.

Chen Changsheng understood deeply why Old Huang hadn’t swallowed that elixir—he’d guessed it even then. Otherwise, why leave the pill and walk away?

He had sincerely hoped Yan Huanglou would consume it—Chen Changsheng truly hated losing such a friend. Yet imposing that felt deeply selfish… a contradiction within him.

Chen Changsheng, fundamentally, was a mass of contradictions. Sometimes he failed to grasp himself.

He sighed heavily standing there briefly, then announced, “I leave.”

Likely fearing further gloom would seep in.

Having uttered the farewell, he turned clutching the half-full wine jar.

On departure, he noticed two other graves nearby.

Chen Changsheng hesitated… then poured some wine there too.

First, gratitude to Zhixuan Master for tending to Old Huang these many years. The second belonged to a friend of the Master—sparing a little wine felt appropriate enough.

.

.

By the time Chen Changsheng returned to the courtyard, midnight arrived.

The Tabby Cat dozing atop the wall cracked open its eyes at approaching footsteps.

Seeing Chen Changsheng return, it yawned, hopped down, and padded to the main gate.

Strong fumes of liquor hung around Chen Changsheng, suggesting heavy drinking.

“So smelly!”

Lihua protested.

Chen Changsheng cleared his throat softly. “I drank a bit too much.”

“Good Human Chen dislikes wine, doesn’t he?”

“Says who? I relish fine wine.”

“But Lihua never saw you touch wine along our way!”

“Because wine was lacking along the path.”

“Then why drink so much tonight?”

Chen Changsheng gulped from his jar. “Tonight’s for paying respects to an old friend.”

“Oh…”

Lihua blinked quickly. “Yet… when you visited that place last time—wherever it was—paying respects to your friend there… you didn’t drink then?”

“That wine was different.”

“What’s different about it?”

“I…”

Chen Changsheng stalled. He suddenly found himself unable to answer.

Unnoticed, Autumn Moon Brew—once freely shared and constantly stored in his gourd—now served solely to honor the departed.

Seemingly without reason, everything had changed.

Lihua blinked at him. “Why’ve you stopped talking?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head, murmuring one phrase.

“I have gotten drunk.”

«Chapter 524: Qingxian Taoist Temple, Xuanchengzi

Index

None »